--- title: Exploring Different Types of Cryptocurrencies description: Explore the diverse world of cryptocurrencies, from coins like Bitcoin to altcoins and tokens. Discover their unique properties and uses in this rapidly evolving landscape. image: https://londonlink.io/hubfs/different%20types%20of%20cryptocurrencies.png --- [![](https://londonlink.io/hubfs/LondonLink_Logo.89821281716f0fd885d1bb83843daebc.svg)](https://londonlink.io/) - [Blog](https://londonlink.io/blog) - [Contact](https://londonlink.io/contact) Open main navigation Close main navigation - [Blog](https://londonlink.io/blog) - [Contact](https://londonlink.io/contact) # Exploring Different Types of Cryptocurrencies [LondonLink](https://londonlink.io/blog/author/londonlink) Oct 6, 2023 12:04:55 AM Cryptocurrencies, once a niche digital asset class, have burgeoned into a diverse ecosystem encompassing a vast array of coins and tokens, each with its unique properties and use cases. ![different types of cryptocurrencies](https://londonlink.io/hs-fs/hubfs/different%20types%20of%20cryptocurrencies.png?width=450&height=450&name=different%20types%20of%20cryptocurrencies.png)   Here's a breakdown of the different types to help navigate this rapidly evolving landscape: Coins At the most basic level, we have coins. These coins are native to a blockchain and act as both the medium of exchange and the reward for verifying the network. Examples include bitcoin on the Bitcoin and ether on Ethereum blockchains. Some go so far as to say bitcoin is the only true ‘coin’ and all others, including ether, are “Altcoins”.  Altcoins Altcoins is a catch-all term for cryptocurrencies that are not bitcoin. They can have any number of characteristics and serve a variety of purposes depending on the goals of the project. Since 2011, there have been thousands of newly created altcoins. Some of the most notable include ether, Litecoin, Cardano and DogeCoin. “Bitcoin dominance” refers to the ratio of bitcoin’s market capitalisation versus the market capitalisation of all cryptocurrencies (i.e. all altcoins plus bitcoin).  Tokens  Tokens are units of value that operate on blockchains but which are unrelated to the consensus mechanisms or security of those blockchains. Tokens often serve specific functions within those networks. Prominent examples include most stablecoins, DAO, DeFi tokens and NFTs. Most are made with Ethereum's ERC-20 and ERC-721 smart contracts. Tokens can fall into sub-categories depending on their use cases, such as utility, security and asset-backed. Stablecoins Stablecoins are tokens whose value is intended to be pegged to another asset, such as fiat currency, exchange-traded commodities or a basket of currencies. Different stablecoins have different approaches to achieving price stability by maintaining reserve assets or using algorithmic formulas that are intended to control supply. They play an important role in hedging volatility and make up some of the largest and most used forms of cryptocurrency.    [Coins](https://londonlink.io/blog/tag/coins), [Altcoins](https://londonlink.io/blog/tag/altcoins), [Tokens](https://londonlink.io/blog/tag/tokens), [Stablecoins](https://londonlink.io/blog/tag/stablecoins) ## Read On [![](https://londonlink.io/hs-fs/hubfs/cryptowallet.png?width=352&name=cryptowallet.png)](https://londonlink.io/blog/how-to-create-a-crypto-wallet-a-step-by-step-guide) ### [How to Create a Crypto Wallet: A Step-by-Step Guide](https://londonlink.io/blog/how-to-create-a-crypto-wallet-a-step-by-step-guide) Having a secure place to store your digital assets is essential, but there are many decisions to... [![The differences between bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies](https://londonlink.io/hs-fs/hubfs/BTC%20vs%20other%20cryptocurrencies.png?width=352&name=BTC%20vs%20other%20cryptocurrencies.png)](https://londonlink.io/blog/the-differences-between-bitcoin-and-other-cryptocurrencies) ### [The differences between bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies](https://londonlink.io/blog/the-differences-between-bitcoin-and-other-cryptocurrencies) Cryptocurrencies have grown in popularity since the introduction of bitcoin in 2009. As the first... [![](https://londonlink.io/hs-fs/hubfs/DALL%C2%B7E%202023-11-19%2021.46.17%20-%20A%20vivid%20and%20engaging%20infographic%2c%20designed%20for%20a%20blog%20post%20about%20the%20differences%20between%20cryptocurrencies%20and%20crypto%20tokens.%20The%20left%20half%20of%20the%20imag.png?width=352&name=DALL%C2%B7E%202023-11-19%2021.46.17%20-%20A%20vivid%20and%20engaging%20infographic%2c%20designed%20for%20a%20blog%20post%20about%20the%20differences%20between%20cryptocurrencies%20and%20crypto%20tokens.%20The%20left%20half%20of%20the%20imag.png)](https://londonlink.io/blog/the-difference-between-cryptocurrencies-and-crypto-tokens) ### [The Difference Between Cryptocurrencies and Crypto Tokens](https://londonlink.io/blog/the-difference-between-cryptocurrencies-and-crypto-tokens) The terms 'cryptocurrency' and 'token' are often interchangeably used. However, their functions and... 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